An annual ranking of college basketball coaches on the hot seat has been released ahead of the 2026-27 season, identifying five coaches who face significant pressure to deliver results that meet their programs' expectations. The list is not a prediction of firings but highlights coaches whose job security depends on strong performances this season.
Penny Hardaway, Memphis
Hardaway enters his ninth season with a 175-87 record at Memphis. The Tigers last reached the NCAA Tournament in 2025 but finished 13-19 last season, the program's worst since 1970. Season-ticket sales have dropped below 2,000 in an NBA arena, and the team has not made a Sweet 16 since 2009. Hardaway has one conference championship in eight years; another season without a title could jeopardize his return for a tenth year.
Porter Moser, Oklahoma
Moser, a 2018 Final Four coach with Loyola Chicago, is 95-75 in five seasons at Oklahoma. He has one year remaining on his contract after 2026-27 and works under new athletic director Roger Denny. Oklahoma has made the NCAA Tournament once in five years and finished tied for 13th and 11th in the SEC. A similar finish that misses an expanded 76-team tournament could prompt a change.
Lamont Paris, South Carolina
Paris is 62-68 in four seasons with the Gamecocks, including a 6-30 conference record over the past two years and first-round SEC Tournament exits. South Carolina reportedly invested $15 million to $17.5 million in the current roster, yet KenPom projects a last-place SEC finish at 4-14. Anything close to that projection would make a sixth season unlikely.
Mark Pope, Kentucky
Pope is 46-26 in two seasons at Kentucky, reaching the Sweet 16 in 2026 and the Round of 32 in 2025. However, Kentucky's expectations are among the highest in the sport. His teams finished tied for sixth and seventh in the SEC, while predecessor John Calipari finished outside the top four only once in 15 years. New athletic director J Batt faces pressure from a passionate fanbase for a deeper tournament run.
Mike Young, Virginia Tech
Young is 124-98 in seven seasons but has led the Hokies to only two NCAA Tournaments, with 0-2 records, and none since 2022. Virginia Tech has finished no better than tied for eighth in the ACC in each of the last four seasons. Young received a contract extension through 2027-28 in July, viewed as a gesture of kindness rather than strong confidence. Missing a fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament would likely lead to a coaching change.
